There are 25 kinds of fish in the lake, and its limited catch is aloud if you have a license. The most popular among fishermen is carp fishing. Lots of swans are living next to the Balaton.

Balaton – the most famous health-improving Hungarian resort with mineral and thermal springs.

On the Balaton Lake banks there are a lot of different mineral water springs.

An area of Balaton Lake is 594 sq.km, the length – 79 km, its width varies from 1.2 till 12.4 km, and the length of coastline – 236 km. Balaton Lake has an interesting form: it is stretched from south-west to the north-east, and these are the consequences of tectonic origin of the lake. Balaton has a form of basin along the south-east Bakony mountains foots on Pannonia plain.

Balaton sometimes being called the Hungarian Sea, because its size, and also because Hungary has no entrance to the real sea.

The unique characteristic of Balaton is its little depth. The middle depth of the lake is about 3 meters, and the only one really deep place of the lake – Tihany trough next to the big peninsula Tihany (12,5 m).

Because it’s small depth the water in a lake always warming quiet well; in summers the middle temperature of lake is 21-22 C, sometimes even 26 C. Water in Balaton is clean, but not transparent because of the presence of plankton. The most common water color – light-green, but the color can easily change during the day.

Tourism on Balaton started developing in 18th century. The coastal settles turned into resorts, where Hungarian and Austrian aristocracy was spending their time.

Firstly, Balaton was famous, in general, by its healing springs with mineral water, and later on rest on Balaton got a widespread popularity as a beach too.

Today along almost whole Balaton Lake coast placed little hotels,

private villas,

and private apartments for rest on Balaton and to offer villas to guests during the Balaton beach season.

Due to the unique lake’s climate and long sunny summer, rest on Balaton attracts guests from the middle of the May till the end of September.

Balaton Sights

Tihany peninsula

Tihany peninsula – the biggest peninsula on the Balaton Lake – and one of the most loved place of relaxed tourists. In the center of Tihany peninsula two lakes are located: Kyulshё (external) and Belshё (outer), surrounded by cones of extinct geysers. Coasts of the lakes are covered with reeds and cane, the depth doesn’t exceed 2-3 meters. On Tihany, besides everything, placed the benediction abbey of St.Anosh, which was formed in 1055 – the oldest monastery in Hungary. Document about the abbey foundation preserved. It is written in Latin, there are around 100 Hungarian words in it, and it is considered as the most ancient monument of Hungarian language.

The main pearl of abbey are the carved altars.

Кis-Balaton

Kis-Balaton – or the Small Balaton – guarded reserve – swamped territory to the south-west from Balaton, not very far from Keszthely city – the refuge of enormous amount of birds: storks, herons, wild geese, ducks and others. Local fishermen are building special boats for moving through shallow and reeded water. There is a reserve for buffalos on Small Balaton – its name is Kapolna-pusta. Territory of Small Balaton is being guarded, but a part of reserve is opened for visitor. In Keszthely city there is a Museum of Balaton.

Loci Cave

Loci Cave – the largest cave in Balaton Lake surroundings. The length of cave is more than 100 meters. Cave is discovered in 1892, but for visitors it was opened only in 1934. Loci Cave is located in the north from Balatonfüred, on the Tamasha mountains slopes. The formation of Loci Cave is a result of limestone erosion by hot thermal waters.

Nature park of Balaton Upland

Natural park of Balaton Upland – one of ten Hungarian nature parks, founded in 1997. Park stretches along all the north coast of Balatonfüred Lake till the Kёstheya in Bakony mountains. In the park there are a lot of dormant volcanos, ex-geysers, craters, lava exits, which have, sometimes, really wonderful forms. The biggest basalt “organ” is located on the St. Georg mountain.

Not very far from Tapolca town you can find an entrance into caves with underground lakes; the caves were opened in 1903. The visiting of the park is limited by special paths.

In caves of Balaton Upland some of breathing organs diseases are being treated by “cave air”.

Heviz Lake

Heviz Lake – the largest thermal European lake. It formed in the crater of dormant volcano. An area of thermal lake – 4.7 ha, depth – more than 40 meters, temperature of the water in the summer starts from 34 C, and in the winter goes down till 26 C. The source of hot thermal water is placed in natural underwater cave with diameter around 18 meters. The water in the lake is healing and not-radioactive, the bottom of lake is covered with healing dirt, and its surface – with lotus flowers. The diseases of locomotory system are being treated there.

Heviz Lake is located in 6 km from Keszthely resort (north-western ending of Balaton Lake), on the edge of Heviz city – in 210 km from Budapest city.

Heviz Lake – one of the most popular places in Europe for health treatment.

Legends of Balaton

Many old legends about Balaton Lake are existing. The most famous one legend of Balaton says, that on the bottom of the lake there is a church, where there is a girl, who is endlessly crying, and while she is crying, the Balaton won’t dry out.

Video about Balaton Lake:

Balaton resorts

Balatonfüred – Balaton Lake resort

The main attraction of Balatonfüred resort – healing mineral water springs. On the central square of Balatonfüred – Dod Square – in 1800 the drinking hall in honor of Lajos Kossuth was built, where those who are relaxing on Balaton are still drinking water.
Sanatoriums of Balatonfüred are specialized on cardiological diseases.

Sifok – the Balaton Lake resort

Sifok resort is the hugest resort for rest on the southern coast of Balaton. On Sifok some of the most popular Balaton Lake beaches are located. Surroundings of Sifoc are attracting by old buildings of hotels and churches. The famous composer Emmerich Kálmán was born in Sifok.

In July there is a huge folklore festival “The Golden Shell” in Sifok. Here is a gateway, built in 1863, which allows to regulate the water level in Balaton. Sifok is known as a Balaton’s capital.

GOOD rating 7.7 / 10Review score based on 12 reviews
Situated: 500 meters to centre Siofok resort
Distance to beach: 250 meters
Add: en-suite rooms with TV, free Wi-Fi, apartments are equipped with a kitchenette, TV, bathroom with bath tub or shower, some units have air conditioning, for gusts barbecue facilities in the garden, bus and train station is 400 m away, the pedestrian area of Siófok, with various clubs and restaurants is just 200 m away
Cost room 2 per: from 38 euro

GOOD rating 7.7 / 10
Review score based on 12 reviews
Situated: 500 meters to centre Siofok resort
Distance to beach: 250 meters
Add: en-suite rooms with TV, free Wi-Fi, apartments are equipped with a kitchenette, TV, bathroom with bath tub or shower, some units have air conditioning, for gusts barbecue facilities in the garden, bus and train station is 400 m away, the pedestrian area of Siófok, with various clubs and restaurants is just 200 m away
Cost room 2 per: from 26 euro

FABULOUS rating 8.8 / 10Review score based on 764 reviews
Situated: short walk from the bus stop
Distance to beach: 250 meters
Add: each room has a balcony, overlooking Hotel Kentaur’s private park, cable TV, work desk, minibar, Wi-Fi is free in public areas, International and Hungarian cuisine are served in the restaurant and on the terrace, for guests table tennis and cycle next to Hotel Kentaur, children’s pool and a playground, massages, manicures and pedicures will be provided on request
Cost room 2 per: from 53 euro

Keszthely resort Balaton Lake

Keszthely resort is the oldest city-resort of the western Balaton’s coast.

Rest in Keszthely of Balaton attracts by its quiet large amount of architecture monuments: gothic Franciscan church built in 1386, and one of the biggest Hungarian estates – Festetics palace with a beautiful park. Estate was built in 1745 and renovated in 1887.

SUPERB rating 9.3 / 10Review score based on 397 reviews
Situated: 15 min walk to Festetics Palace
Distance to beach: 11 min walk
Add: bright rooms have a spacious balcony overlooking the garden or the park, each room is equipped with a TV set, refrigerator, bathrooms with shower cabin, for guests buffet breakfast is served on the terrace, small library, free Wi-Fi in common areas, sun loungers are provided by the swimming pool, and guests can also relax in a sauna and a hot tub at an additional cost, play area for children and table tennis in garden, the nearby park includes a football field and basketball court
Cost room 2 per: from 44 euro

SUPERB rating 9.3 / 10Review score based on 185 reviews
Situated: 800 meters to Festetics Palace
Distance to beach: 200 meters
Add: a quiet location in Keszthely, rooms and apartments with free Wi-Fi and cable TV, for guests lush green garden with a terrace, deck chairs and barbecue facilities, free private parking is possible on site, s huttle service is provided on request, the Balaton-Felvideki National Park can be reached within 6 km, the train station is 400 m from the hotel
Cost room 2 per: from 38 euro

SUPERB rating 9.1 / 10Review score based on 22 reviews
Situated: 2 km to centre of Keszthely
Distance to beach: 100 meters
Add: rooms with a small refrigerator and satellite TV, a common kitchen, free Wi-Fi, some bright, spacious rooms come with a balcon, sauna is at the guests’ disposal for surcharge, free private parking, famous thermal town Hévíz is 5 km from the hotel, train and bus station is 700 m from the hotel
Cost room 2 per: from 31 euro

The treatment on Heviz Lake is recommended to people with diseases of locomotory system, joint pains, polyarthritis, osteochondrosis, chronic inflammation of the joints, radiculitis, inflammation of nerve endings and the failures of movements, connected with failure of bone apparatus, disturbed circulation, gout, increasing of potency, diseases of moving apparatus, connected with metabolic disorders.Treatment on the Heviz Lake is contraindicated to people with active tuberculosis, raised function of thyroid, malignant tumor processes, thrombosis, bronchial asthma, pregnancy. Treatment on the Heviz Lake passes under the medical control.

VERY GOOD rating 8.3 / 10Review score based on 566 reviews
Situated: in the pedestrian zone of Heviz
Distance to Heviz thermal lake: 500 meters
Add: enjoy contemporary international and Hungarian cuisine, expert wellness and medical treatments and make use of the wide range of spa facilities, buffet breakfast is included in the room rate, wired and wireless internet is available in the public areas of the Palace Hotel Héviz free of charge
Cost room 2 per: from 88 euro

VERY GOOD rating 8.0 / 10Review score based on 256 reviews
Situated: uniquely located right at Lake Heviz
Distance to Heviz thermal lake: 500 meters
Add: modern rooms are air-conditioned, with cable TV, bathroom with hairdryer, some rooms have a balcony, have a park or lake view, entrance to bathing area at the lake is free for hotel guests, the Spa hotel’s wellness centre includes a hot tub and a wide range of massage, beauty treatments, restaurant of hotel serves Hungarian and international cuisine, free Wi-Fi in public areas, free private parking
Cost room 2 per: from 72 euro

VERY GOOD rating 8.0 / 10Review score based on 578 reviews
Situated: in the pedestrian area of Hévíz
Distance to Heviz thermal lake: 400 meters
Add: city views rooms were renovated in 2012 have cable TV, refrigerator, private bathroom with shower, free Wi-Fi, free private parking, restaurants and shops can be found in the vicinity of the Hévíz Villa, for guests hot and cold beverages at the on-site bar with a terrace, the local bus station is 300 m away, Keszthely resort is 7 km, FlyBalaton Airport can be reached within 15 km
Cost room 2 per: from 44 euro

VERY GOOD rating 8.4 / 10Review score based on 834 reviews
Situated: in the centre of Hévíz
Distance to Heviz thermal lake: 500 meters
Add: all rooms of the hotel have a private balcony, sat TV, complimentary bathrobes, offers a health centre and large SPA area, free Wi-Fi, health centre offering thermal water therapy, phototherapy and mechanotherapy, the SPA area features thermal baths, indoor and outdoor pools, different saunas, a solarium and a sun terrace, the beauty centre offers massages, a hairdresser, pedicures and manicures, for guests in the fitness room Yoga and aquaerobics classes and obtain advise from the personal trainers, the all-inclusive catering includes buffet breakfast
Cost room 2 per: from 107 euro

FABULOUS rating 8.6 / 10Review score based on 328 reviews
Situated: in the best rated area in Hévíz
Distance to Heviz thermal lake:
Add: NaturMed Hotel Carbona in Hévíz welcomes you all year round in a Mediterranean environment with a magnificent visual bath, a water surface of 1000 m2, with air-conditioned rooms, with a thermal bath evoking the atmosphere of Roman times and with numerous opportunities for therapeutic methods and wellness!
Cost room 2 per: from 119 euro